Young Hanoians to take stage with traditional opera shows

HA NOI (VNS) — A series of traditional opera performances will be organised in Ha Noi this September.

Titled Tieng Trong Cheo (Traditional Opera Drum Sounds), the cultural tour is an effort by young Hanoians to understand traditional art within the framework of the cultural media project Toi Xe Dich (I Move), with the co-operation of the Viet Nam Cheo Theatre.

The night shows will present famous extracts from classic cheo plays, such as Quan Am Thi Kinh at Thap communal house yard on September 5, Luu Binh – Duong Le at Kim Lien communal house yard on September 12, and Kim Nham at Xuan Dinh communal house yard on September 19.

A representative of the board of organisers said a special feature of the tour is to preserve the stage, instruments and costume of the "ancient" cheo that give the audience a true experience of the art form.

Besides enjoying performances by actors from the Viet Nam Cheo Theatre, the audience will also gain basic knowledge about typical cheo characters and its cultural space, as illustrated by young artist Jeet Zdung.

The audience will also get a chance to enact their favourite characters during each night show of Tieng Trong Cheo.

The programme is not for profit and is being supported by community funds from the participants.

Cheo is a traditional form of art that used to be performed on small stages in communal house yards. Performing cheo plays on its original, open-air stage will help bridge the distance between the actors and the audience.

Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, who launched the "I Move" Project, said the programme aimed to help preserve ancient cheo as well as connect the cultural emotions among different Vietnamese generations.

"I Move" is a social media project about culture and tourism for the youth, established in June 2012. The project is expected to encourage the youth to travel more, live more meaningfully and understand traditional values better.

Thap Cummnal House locates in Cau Giay District, Kim Lien Communal House is in Dong Da District, while Xuan Dinh Communal House is in Tu Liem District. — VNS